New York Start-Ups Ride Tech Boom

By

Spencer E. Ante

Updated May 27, 2011 12:01 a.m. ET

Two years ago, the founders of eyewear company Warby Parker entered their idea in a business-plan contest—and lost.

This spring, the 15-month-old New York venture had to fight off would-be investors jockeying to write it a check. One firm was so desperate to invest in the company that its employees showed up at Warby's offices four times in 24...